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Oklahoma Traffic Data Linkage Project
Pedal Cyclist Crash Injuries, Oklahoma, 2008
Injury Prevention Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 N.E. 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, 405-271-3430.
Information on the TDLP can be accessed at http://tdlp.health.ok.gov
Pedal cyclists, in this report, include riders of any nonmotorized vehicle, (uni-, bi-, or tricyles) powered by pedals. Pedal
cycling has both environmental and health benefits. It is non-fuel-consuming and non-polluting, helps improve overall
balance and coordination, and helps strengthen the cyclist’s heart and respiratory functions. However, it is not risk free.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 716 pedal cyclist crash deaths in the United States in 2008.
This report describes pedal cyclist crash injuries in Oklahoma using 2008 data from the Traffic Data Linkage Project.
• Fifty injured pedal cyclists were identified (Figure 1);
four died.
– Seventy-eight percent were male.
– The highest number of injured cyclists occurred among
children under 15 and adults 40-59 years of age.
– Children under 18 years old accounted for 36%.
• Five cyclists (30-55 years of age) were alcohol impaired.
• The majority of cyclists were injured in urban areas (84%), in
residential neighborhoods (48%), and at places other than
intersections (59%).
• One in every six cyclist crashes was a hit-and-run incident.
• Half of crashes occurred on roadways with a posted speed limit of 25-30 miles per hour (mph).
– Fatal crashes occurred on roadways with higher speed limits (30-55 mph).
• The most common cyclist actions at the time of the crash included crossing at non-intersection roadways (29%), cycling
with the flow of traffic (22%), and crossing at an intersection (16%).
• Cyclist crashes peaked on Saturday (22%), followed by Friday and Wednesday (16%, each).
– Three of the four fatalities occurred on a weekend (Saturday/Sunday).
• The highest number of crashes occurred in August and September (32%, each); crashes were lowest in February and
November (2%, each).
• Eighty-four percent of cyclists were injured from 1:00pm to 9:00pm with peaks from 4:00pm-5:00pm and at 9:00pm.
• Only five injured cyclists wore a helmet; they were all 25 years and older. All helmeted persons survived their injuries.
• The most common types of injuries sustained included fractures (50%), bruises (17%), internal injuries (13%), and open
wounds (12%). Nineteen cyclists (38%) suffered traumatic brain injuries.
• The typical hospital charge for nonfatally injured cyclists was $30,500, with patients generally staying three days.
– The median charge was 77% higher for non-helmeted persons ($32,645) than for persons who were wearing a
helmet ($18,488).
• Of the hospitalized patients, 37% were on Medicaid, 15% were uninsured, and 7% were on Medicare.
• Sixty-nine percent of survivors were discharged home; the remaining required some type of longer-term care.
0 2 4 6 8
10
0-5 6-9 10-14 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+
Number of injured Pedal Cyclists
Age Group
Figure 1. Injured Pedalcyclists by Age and
Gender, Oklahoma, 2008
Male Female

Oklahoma Traffic Data Linkage Project
Pedal Cyclist Crash Injuries, Oklahoma, 2008
Injury Prevention Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 N.E. 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, 405-271-3430.
Information on the TDLP can be accessed at http://tdlp.health.ok.gov
Pedal cyclists, in this report, include riders of any nonmotorized vehicle, (uni-, bi-, or tricyles) powered by pedals. Pedal
cycling has both environmental and health benefits. It is non-fuel-consuming and non-polluting, helps improve overall
balance and coordination, and helps strengthen the cyclist’s heart and respiratory functions. However, it is not risk free.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 716 pedal cyclist crash deaths in the United States in 2008.
This report describes pedal cyclist crash injuries in Oklahoma using 2008 data from the Traffic Data Linkage Project.
• Fifty injured pedal cyclists were identified (Figure 1);
four died.
– Seventy-eight percent were male.
– The highest number of injured cyclists occurred among
children under 15 and adults 40-59 years of age.
– Children under 18 years old accounted for 36%.
• Five cyclists (30-55 years of age) were alcohol impaired.
• The majority of cyclists were injured in urban areas (84%), in
residential neighborhoods (48%), and at places other than
intersections (59%).
• One in every six cyclist crashes was a hit-and-run incident.
• Half of crashes occurred on roadways with a posted speed limit of 25-30 miles per hour (mph).
– Fatal crashes occurred on roadways with higher speed limits (30-55 mph).
• The most common cyclist actions at the time of the crash included crossing at non-intersection roadways (29%), cycling
with the flow of traffic (22%), and crossing at an intersection (16%).
• Cyclist crashes peaked on Saturday (22%), followed by Friday and Wednesday (16%, each).
– Three of the four fatalities occurred on a weekend (Saturday/Sunday).
• The highest number of crashes occurred in August and September (32%, each); crashes were lowest in February and
November (2%, each).
• Eighty-four percent of cyclists were injured from 1:00pm to 9:00pm with peaks from 4:00pm-5:00pm and at 9:00pm.
• Only five injured cyclists wore a helmet; they were all 25 years and older. All helmeted persons survived their injuries.
• The most common types of injuries sustained included fractures (50%), bruises (17%), internal injuries (13%), and open
wounds (12%). Nineteen cyclists (38%) suffered traumatic brain injuries.
• The typical hospital charge for nonfatally injured cyclists was $30,500, with patients generally staying three days.
– The median charge was 77% higher for non-helmeted persons ($32,645) than for persons who were wearing a
helmet ($18,488).
• Of the hospitalized patients, 37% were on Medicaid, 15% were uninsured, and 7% were on Medicare.
• Sixty-nine percent of survivors were discharged home; the remaining required some type of longer-term care.
0 2 4 6 8
10
0-5 6-9 10-14 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+
Number of injured Pedal Cyclists
Age Group
Figure 1. Injured Pedalcyclists by Age and
Gender, Oklahoma, 2008
Male Female